Two new editions of The Lantern are out now: the first, with a creepily atmospheric new cover, is the British Large Print version from Windsor Paragon in association with AudioGO and Orion. As the author, I'm always fascinated to see what the visual presentation of my books will be, and I have to say that I've been thrilled by the care all the designers and editors have taken with this novel. This is probably the most straightforward representation - and I like its strength and fidelity to the story.
As an aside, I discovered a while ago that an excerpt from the opening of The Lantern was used as part of the Higher Level Art examination for schools and colleges in Ireland this summer! Candidates had to choose one of several texts to use as inspiration for their work. My curiosity is running high - I may have to contact the examination board and ask if they would let me see some of the entries. Satisfying too, because it illustrates so clearly how all forms of art influence others.
The Italian edition, titled The House of Wind and Shadow, was published yesterday with yet another beautiful cover, highlighting a different aspect of the story. Obviously the choice of book covers is market-driven; publishers want to align each book with others that have been successful, and this positioning will be signalled to the potential book buyer by similarities in the visuals.
But I like to think that it also has something to do with the way we can each read something and find something different in it - because that is the magic of reading.
